Quarter-final dreams dashed as Japan, South Korea exit World Cup
(Left) South Korea's Hwang Ui-jo and Son Heung-min applauding the fans at the end of their round-of-16 match against Brazil. (Right) Japan's players reacting to the team's defeat against Croatia on Dec 5, 2022.
Croatia reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Monday (Dec 5) with a dramatic 3-1 penalty shoot-out win over Japan after a tense last-16 clash ended 1-1.
Mario Pasalic struck the winning penalty to send Croatia through after Ivan Perisic had pulled Croatia level in the 55th minute of normal time following Daizen Maeda's opener for Japan just before the break.
Croatia now face Brazil in the last eight, after the South Americans overwhelmed South Korea 4-1.
